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Understanding Cauda Equina Syndrome

Cauda equina syndrome occurs when your cauda equina, a bundle of nerve fibers at the bottom of your spinal cord, is pinched or irritated. This aggravation can be caused by a number of disorders, including a herniated disc, a tumor, spinal stenosis, or inflammatory conditions such as ankylosing spondylitis.

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Your spinal cord runs from the base of your skull to the top of your lumbar spine. As it reaches your lumbar spine, it branches into several nerve fibers, known as the cauda equina, which continue throughout your lower body.

Your individual nerves exit through small holes in your lumbar spine called foramina (pictured above). Your sacrum, legs, and feet are innervated by the individual nerves from this part of your spine as they run downward throughout your body.

These nerves communicate sensory and motor nerve messages between your central nervous system and your pelvis and lower limbs. They are responsible for the control and sensory function of your bowel, bladder, genitals and saddle area (where your body would touch a saddle if you were riding a horse), and your legs.

Your main takeaway from this walk through should be that acute cauda equina syndrome is a rare but serious medical emergency which usually requires decompression surgery on the spine within 24 hours. If left untreated, it can result in paralysis, loss of sensation below your lumbar spine, and permanent loss of bladder and bowel control.

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The information on Spine-health.com is not intended as a substitute for medical professional help or advice but is to be used only as an aid in understanding spine and spine related conditions.